Google Transit, FTW?

Next stop, Ohio River!Boy was I happy when Google Transit decided to branch out from simply being a Portland thing to including a few other cities, including my own fine city of Pittsburgh, PA.

A few trips later I was not quite so impressed. Let me begin by saying that yes, it is definitely better than using the Port Authority’s Trip Planner, which has a bogged down interface and doesn’t recognize addresses, only intersections. However, while Google Transit understands addresses and often even just typing in building names or businesses or even general neighborhoods, that presents a problem in itself: bus drivers only understand intersections. So if you can’t give them an intersection, the poor bastards don’t know what to tell you and therefore typically respond with a “no.” Whatever that means.

But more importantly, Google Transit incorporates walking. But it doesn’t say “Go up Walnut, turn right on South Highland, and left on Penn.” it says “Go to insert destination street address“. Which is typically all fine and dandy, I’m not above asking people for directions or just generally knowing the city myself. However, sometimes this is a huge problem.

For example, check out this route Google Transit chose for me. I was trying to get to the Carnegie Science Center. Note my final walking instructions: Go to 1 Allegheny (takes about 7 minutes.)

Given that I’m supposed to swim across the Ohio, I wonder if 7 minutes is a reality? I’m a decent swimmer but…

People are Talking, Talking 'bout People

  1. Wanta race?

    I’m thinking we should invest in some outriggers and paddle across.

  2. Yeah but will the Port Authority allow us to throw canoes on their bike racks is my question?

  3. [...] Ever need to know where to catch a bus? You could always use Google Transit (which obviously has its faults alongside its advantages) or the Port Authority’s Trip Planner (which is a bit bloated and takes awhile to get used to), but maybe you’re not at a computer. Maybe when you need to know where to catch a bus you’re already somewhere else, out there in the real world. In Portland they have an ingenius system: each bus stop has an ID number, you call up Trimet (their transit company) and type in the ID number of where you are and tell them where you want to go. It’s all automated. Works great. Loved it. Here we have a slightly different approach: hire call center people. So aside from the fact that I often sit on hold so long waiting to find out when the next bus comes that, well, the next bus comes (and too often goes) but they’re paying these people. Now I don’t wish anyone to lose their job, but if you’re looking at a budget crisis…. [...]

  4. [...] need to know where to catch a bus? You could always use Google Transit (which obviously has its faults alongside its advantages) or the Port Authority’s Trip Planner (which is a bit bloated and [...]

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